Louder Than The Music

Zoo Seven - Lifesaver

Artist:

Zoo Seven

Title:

Lifesaver

Type:

Album

Released:

21 May 2010

LTTM Rating:

Your Rating:

Review

At the outset of this review I have a confession to make: Fono were one of my favourite rock bands featuring Christians (surely we should be able to come up with a better label than that by now), like, ever. Del Currie always appeared to be capable of doing no wrong in the songwriting department, as hook after glorious hook captured your ears and your heart, before taking up residence on that glorious internal radio station we all have that plays our favourite songs when we wake up in the morning. The band's history would provide the basis for a...
Read More At the outset of this review I have a confession to make: Fono were one of my favourite rock bands featuring Christians (surely we should be able to come up with a better label than that by now), like, ever. Del Currie always appeared to be capable of doing no wrong in the songwriting department, as hook after glorious hook captured your ears and your heart, before taking up residence on that glorious internal radio station we all have that plays our favourite songs when we wake up in the morning. The band's history would provide the basis for a very interesting book, as the ups and downs of the music industry, and life itself, played havoc with their route to success and recognition. Their last album, “Too Broken to Break” was a modern classic, that most bands can only dream of bettering. It is within this context that I approach Zoo Seven, the new, now solo, Currie offering, and their debut album 'Lifesaver'.

First thing to report is that all the things which made Fono so great are all present and correct. We find sinuous guitar parts, hook-laden melodies, enormous drums (courtesy of Fono aficionado Andy Ridley) and, best of all, stratospheric, widescreen chorus after stratospheric, widescreen chorus. This is music to get epic to, music to soundtrack the key moments in films and TV shows, music to play during life-changing events. In short, this is serious stuff. Not only that, but Zoo Seven builds on the Fono template, adding greater elements of dynamic light and shade along with some satisfying synth flourishes

Beginning with “Blink Once”, Currie's intentions are immediately crystal clear. This is music tooled to precision to at once go for the jugular and soothe the soul. Throughout the album, the pace and intensity rarely slackens, but classic radio-ready alternative rock gems just keep on coming. “Empty Space” makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when the chorus hits, while “Fade In, Fade Out” takes things down a notch, before reaching for the volume pedal once again. And so it goes on, song after song driving home the point that here is a songwriter at the peak of his powers, and with plenty to say. “Lifesaver” for which a rather ingenious homemade video has been produced, is perhaps the most immediate classic on first listen, and displays a neat line in lyrical soul-searching, but it has to be said that each of the ten tracks on offer here are, to be frank, great.

It can only be hoped that, with “Zoo Seven”, the songs of Del Currie finally reach the audience they deserve. There are two final points to make about the album. First, it is the first one I've ever heard which features the songs in alphabetical order by title (very neat!). Second, it's available as a free download from www.zooseven.com - so, really, there's no excuse for not grabbing this album immediately. In fact, do it now. Go on. Then come back and thank me. That's an order.

Review by Haydon Spenceley

LTTM Rating 5 out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
Blink
Once
Lifesaver

Articles

News

New Album 'Lifesaver' From Zoo Seven Available As Free Download

Del Currie, former member of British rock bands Fono and Split Level, has now relaunched his career under the name Zoo Seven. His debut album 'Lifesaver' has just been released and is currently available as a free download from…

Get 'Lifesaver'

Track Listing

Zoo Seven - Lifesaver

Review

Articles

New Album 'Lifesaver' From Zoo Seven Available As Free Download